Marsden SHS’s rugby league dream team v the school’s team of the 2020s

Boasting an alumni list that includes a host of current day Maroons it is easy to see why Marsden SHS is a must stop for NRL scouts. We name the school’s All-Star outfit.

Current fullback App Twidle of Marsden SHS last week in Langer Trophy action. (Image/Josh Woning)

With eight Origin or international players and another five NRL players, it is little wonder Marsden SHS is one of Queensland rugby league’s finest breeding grounds.

It is a school whose rugby league program has spat out a production line of recent NRL talent, including maybe the greatest player of all - Cameron Smith.

The last student to break into the NRL was earlier this year when TC Robati, from the class of 2020 - played for the Brisbane Broncos.

Dante Te Whiu-hopa in Walters Cup action. Pics Adam Head

It is little wonder NRL talent scouts comb the school - and its surrounding suburbs - for NRL talent.

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For evidence of the region’s league strength, look no further than in 2020 when three Marsden SHS alumni - Corey Allan, Brenko Lee and Jaydn Su’a - played in Queensland’s series clinching third Origin win.

Marsden alumni Syd Smith, Sam Lavea, Jaydn Sua and Corey Allan in 2016 at the Broncos. Pic: Josh Woning.

We highlight the region’s appeal to NRL clubs by naming this all-star outfit - made up exclusively of pre-2020 talent, but then celebrate the current generation with a Team of the 2020s:

Paea Puleiku In action during the Walters Cup Year 10 Rugby League match b between Marsden State High at Forest Lake. Pics Adam Head

The pre-2020 all-star side is: 1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Israel Folau, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Aaron Lewis, 7. Chris Sandow, 8. George Fai, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Patrick Mago, 11. Jaydn Su’a, 12. TC Robati, 13. Caleb Timu.

Reserves like Wallaby Jo Tomane, seasoned Super Cup prop Sam Lavea, NRL journeyman Tautau Moga and Syd Smith highlight the depth.

Not a bad side, is it?

Current player Te Anau Graham-Papalii of Marsden SHS. (Image/Josh Woning)

Folau, Allan, Lee, Smith and Su’a are all Origin or Test players, Timu is an international and Tesi a Tonga international. The the rest of the boys, aside from Lewis, played NRL.

That is the past.

But what about the present, the class of the 2020s.

How are they shaping up? Pretty good actually.

Adaquix Luke in Walters Cup action. Pics Adam Head

How is this for a class of the 2020s side?

Fullback: Rixson Andrew

Wing: Leon Te Hau

Centre: Tony Francis

Centre: Nathaniel Tangimataiti

Wing: Haizyn Mellars

5-8: Coby Black

Halfback: Konrad Tu’ua

No. 13: Chris Faagutu

12. TC Robati

11: Keenan Timu

10. Lance Fualema

9. Tyree Bowman

8. Xavier Stowers

Bench: Tyrone Sa’u, Will Semu, Taelon Te-Whiu Hopa, Teapo Stoltman, Jieye Mauai, Jacob Tinslery. Emergency: Kienan Tempest

Current QLD schoolboys Coby Black Picture: Zak Simmonds

Of the backs Te Hau, a fullback or winger, is in the South Sydney top 30 Souths Sydney squad, Tony Francis is also a top squad player at the Titans while Tyrone Su’a, a Queensland schoolboys representative, is in the Penrith system.

There are also Queensland schoolboy reps littered throughout the side.

Marsden State High School 2020 open Queensland schoolboy representatives TC Robati and Tyrone Sa'u.

Coby Black (Broncos contracted), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney contracted) and Chris Faagutu (Wests Tigers contracted), a three year Langer Trophy player, are all current Queensland schoolboys, with Faagutu an Australian schoolboy.

Note TC Robati makes both because he played in both 2019 and 2020.

Haizyn Mellars of Marsden State High School. Picture, John Gass

Marsden SHS is part of the Langer Trophy, Langer Reserves and Walters Cup competitions which are live streamed by News Corp.

For replays of yesterday’s matches, click here.

Jose Ito In action during the Walters Cup Year 10 Rugby League match for Marsden State High at Forest Lake. Pics Adam Head

The competition is hotting up, with Ipswich SHS unbeaten, followed by Keebra Park SHS and PBC SHS, both of whom have lost one game. They play each other next week.

And Marsden SHS were starting to find their mo-jo, settling, on paper, with their best squad of the season so far.

Emannuel Asomua for Marsden in the Walters Cup Pics Adam Head